Premier League of Belize

Premier League of Belize
Founded28 December 2011; 12 years ago (2011-12-28)
Country Belize
ConfederationCONCACAF
Number of clubs8
Level on pyramid1
International cup(s)CONCACAF Central American Cup
CONCACAF Champions Cup
Current championsPort Layola F.C.
(2024–25 Opening)
Most championshipsBelmopan Bandits (9)
Websitepremierleagueofbelize.com
Current: 2024–25 Premier League of Belize

The Premier League of Belize is the highest competitive football league in Belize. It was founded on 28 December 2011[1] after the merger between the Belize Premier Football League and the Super League of Belize.

History

Former logo used by Premier League of Belize

The formation of the league was a combination of Belize's suspension by FIFA and the Belize Premier Football League withdrawing from the Football Federation of Belize.[2][3] It was decided that a brand new top league was to be formed, the winner of which would represent Belize in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–20 Premier League of Belize closing season was cancelled after the eighth round of games and a winner was not crowned.[4]

The Premier League of Belize (PLB) was suspended from administering the 2021–22 season by the Football Federation of Belize (FFB). The FFB administered the highest competitive football league in the country for this season, and sanctioned the 2021–22 FFB Top League.[5] The PLB returned for the 2022–23 season.[6]

Officials

On 6 January 2012 the current president of the league was announced as Jaime O. Perdomo Jr, the vice-president as Al Westby and the members being Celso Carcamo, Wilhelm Miguel and Onan McLean.[7]

After election problems had left the league inactive for the whole of the 2021–22 season, on 2 June 2022 the league elected a new Executive in preparation for the 2022–23 season. Ian Haylock was elected as president, with Godfrey Arzu as vice-president. Also elected were Karol Маldоnаdо Сlаrо, as Fеmаlе Ехесutіvе Меmbеr and Lorin Frazer and Јоrdаn Zаbаnеh, as Executive Members.[8]

Current Teams (2022–23 Closing Season)

Premier League of Belize is located in Belize
class=notpageimage|
Location of 2022–23 teams in Premier League of Belize
Team City Stadium
Altitude F.C. Independence Michael Ashcroft Stadium
Belmopan Bandits Belmopan Isidoro Beaton Stadium
Benque Viejo United F.C. Benque Marshalleck Stadium
Port Layola F.C. Belize City MCC Grounds
Progresso F.C. Orange Walk Orange Walk People's Stadium
San Pedro Pirates F.C. San Pedro Ambergris Stadium
Verdes F.C. San Ignacio Norman Broaster Stadium
Wagiya S.C. Dangriga Carl Ramos Stadium

League champions

Season Champions Runner-Up
2012 Placencia Assassins Police United
2012–13 O Belmopan Bandits Police United
2012–13 C Police United FC Belize
2013–14 O Belmopan Bandits FC Belize
2013–14 C Belmopan Bandits Police United
2014–15 O Belmopan Bandits Police United
2014–15 C Verdes Belmopan Bandits
2015–16 O Police United Verdes
2015–16 C Belmopan Bandits Placencia Assassins
2016–17 O Belmopan Bandits Belize Defence Force
2016–17 C Belmopan Bandits Verdes
2017–18 O Verdes Belmopan Bandits
2017–18 C Belmopan Bandits Belize Defence Force
2018–19 O Belmopan Bandits Verdes
2018–19 C San Pedro Pirates Belmopan Bandits
2019–20 O Verdes Belmopan Bandits
2019–20 C Season cancelled
2022–23 O Altitude Verdes
2022–23 C Verdes San Pedro Pirates
2023–24 O Altitude Port Layola F.C.
2023–24 C Port Layola F.C. Verdes
2024–25 O Port Layola F.C. San Pedro Pirates

Titles by team

Team Champions Runner-Up
Belmopan Bandits 9 4
Verdes 4 5
Police United 2 4
Port Layola F.C. 2 1
Altitude 2 0
San Pedro Pirates 1 2
Placencia Assassins 1 1
Belize Defence Force 0 2
FC Belize 0 2

Awards

Top 5 all-time scorers

Rank Player Team(s) Goals*
1 Belize Daniel Jimenez Belize Defence Force
Belmopan Bandits
Police United 		73
2 Belize Jarret Davis FC Belize
Verdes 		71
3 Belize Jeromy James Belmopan Bandits
FC Belize
Verdes 		69
4 Belize Alexander Peters Freedom Fighters
Placencia Assassins 		58
5 Honduras Georgie Welcome Belmopan Bandits 53

* Includes playoff goals.

References

  1. ^ "FFB electoral committee on "Top League" elections". Amandala Online. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  2. ^ "FIFA suspends Belize". Amandala Online. June 21, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  3. ^ "BPFL confirms withdrawal from FFB". Amandala Online. May 13, 2011. Archived from the original on November 15, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  4. ^ "Belize's semi-pro basketball and football leagues cancelled due to COVID-19". San Pedro Sun. April 20, 2020. Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "Football strife; Bandits not happy with FFB". Amandala Online. October 20, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  6. ^ "Premier League of Belize to kick off on July 23". Breaking Belize News. June 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  7. ^ "FFB electoral committee on "Top League" elections". Amandala Online. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  8. ^ "The Premier League of Belize (PLB) elects a new executive". Breaking Belize News. June 13, 2022. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.